Hundreds gather at vigil for man who died while restrained by Tacoma Police

TACOMA - Hundreds came out for a vigil to honor Manuel Ellis at the location where he died three months ago during an encounter with Tacoma Police.Family, friends and the community gathered at the intersection of 96th Street and South Ainsworth Avenue, the same location Ellis died on March 3rd."We were always together, he was my whole heart," said Ellis’ sister Monèt Mixon.Mixon says she had to fight to get attention for her brother’s death and says she will continue to fight."I’ll keep pressing the issues, until I can’t press it anymore," she said.Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards says the city also wants answers."We don’t know a lot.

Pierce County businesses prepping for Phase 2 reopening

TACOMA -- Pierce County is waiting to be approved for Phase 2, which will allow businesses like restaurants, salons, and retailers to reopen.

'Can't breathe!' Medical Examiner says man died being restrained by Tacoma Police

TACOMA -- Three months after Manuel "Manny" Ellis died on the streets of Tacoma during an encounter with police, the case of George Floyd and the worldwide fury that followed is raising questions about his death.Ellis, 33, was walking in the intersection of 96th Street and South Ainsworth Avenue about 11:30 p.m. on March 3, when four officers noticed him "struggling" in the intersection, Pierce County Sheriff's detective Ed Troyer said."He was having distress in the intersection, they asked him if he was alright and needed help," Troyer told Q13 News. "He walked up to the Tacoma Police Officers and said, 'I have warrants, I need to talk.' As soon as the police officer got out of the car, he assaulted one of them and slam dunked him into the ground."There were four officers at the scene who handcuffed and restrained him.

Mayor, and business owners respond to destruction in Tacoma; curfew goes into effect

TACOMA, WA - Following a peaceful day of protesting in Tacoma, things turned aggressive late into the night and early morning.Along Pacific Avenue, a row of boarded-up storefronts line the street.“I don’t think it’s right that all of these businesses are having to put up plywood to protect themselves from what’s going on,” said Eric Hoolahan.Hoolahan is the president of Bellevue Rare Coins.About a dozen people smashed through the front door of his business Monday night.

Tacoma businesses damaged after a day of peaceful protests turns disruptive

TACOMA -- A long day of peaceful protests in Tacoma turned disruptive and destructive as night fell Monday, leaving several State Street businesses cleaning up shattered storefronts and other damage Tuesday morning.Area youth hosted a peaceful protest Monday to show people the fight toward change can be done peacefully.

Tacoma youth host peaceful protest in response to George Floyd's death

TACOMA – As outrage continues to spark nationwide surrounding the death of George Floyd of Minneapolis, a group of people with their own agenda are hijacking peaceful protests.The instigators cause the protests to escalate to riots, resulting in assault, arson, vandalism and looting.A group of young people in Tacoma did not want the acts of violence to overshadow their call to action against police brutality.Area youth hosted a peaceful protest Monday to show people the fight towards change can be done peacefully.

New 'Las Vegas-style' Emerald Queen Casino ready to open June 8

TACOMA -- The Puyallup Tribe's long-awaited 310,000-square-foot gaming center is slated to open June 8, the tribe announced Monday.The building will replace the popular Tacoma I-5 casino.The new casino has been touted as "Las Vegas-style."  Everything is new, from the games to the lights to a 2,000-seat concert venue and event center.A 12-story, 170-room hotel is under construction and slated to be completed in the summer.

Crystal Mountain reopens for spring skiing after months-long closure

The calendar says June, but Crystal Mountain resort wants you to think about snow.The popular ski destination, closed for months due to the coronavirus pandemic, is reopening for two weeks of spring skiing from June 1 - June 14.You have to make an online reservation, and there are several new protocols in place in response to Covid-19.From their website:

'I am outraged': King, Pierce County sheriffs speak on need to 'call out our own' after George Floyd's death

As the death of George Floyd continues to spark outrage and protests across the country, local law enforcement leaders are speaking out about the disturbing video and its rippling effects.

Small Business Sunday: eTc Tacoma missing community connection during closure

Founded by two Tacoma natives, eTc Tacoma is more than just a shop selling streetwear – it's a place for the community to gather. That connection is what co-owner Umi Wagoner says the business has missed most during a now two-month long closure.

Tacoma tempts taste buds with free weekend event

Tacoma, Wash., - This weekend's Taste of Tacoma is being called the "ultimate summer get together."Point Defiance Park plays host to over 200 food and specialty vendors with over 70 live bands and entertainment.

Thousands of youth come together to celebrate giving back

TACOMA, Wash. -- Nearly sixteen thousand students from across Western Washington gathered in Tacoma for "WE Day." The event is put on to celebrate a year of action that transformed communities and changed lives.The event doesn't cost money to get into, instead students earned a ticket by giving back through volunteerism.

Community celebration underway at new Tacoma aquarium

TACOMA, Wash. -- Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium is inviting the community to construct and create hundreds of paper turtles.The project will be featured alongside real turtles ,and for every one that's made, $2 will be donated to support ocean conservation youth leadership.The community celebration and outreach marks six months that the zoo has been in their new space."We closed down our 55-year-old north Pacific Aquarium here at Point Defiance this past year and we transferred all the fish and invertebrates we had there down to the new aquarium," Neil Allen, Aquatics Curator, explains. "The old aquarium had reached the end of its lifespan, and this is a nicer facility to show off the fish."The Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium is also hosting an Ocean Voices Speaker Series.

Sloths, otters, kangaroos and more living together in Tacoma petting zoo

TACOMA, Wash. - Debbie Dolittle's is a year round, indoor,  petting zoo that offers the community a chance to get their hands on animals they'd otherwise never get the opportunity to meet.

Back-to-back crashes on I-5 cause long commute times in Tacoma

UPDATE: I-5 reopened in both directions just after 7 a.m. Wednesday.Drivers in and around Tacoma will need to plan a lot of extra time to get to work Wednesday morning.

North Tacoma grocery store raises money for fire victims in California

TACOMA, Wash. - - A grocery store owner in North Tacoma is stepping up to help some grocery store employees in California who’ve lost everything in the deadliest fire of the Western region.Customers at Grocery Outlet in North Tacoma are donating money to help 37 Grocery Outlet employees in Paradise, Calif., who’ve lost their jobs and homes in the devastating fires.

Former Rainier School supervisor gets at least 24 years for attempted rape

A supervisor at a state habilitation center in Buckley was sentenced to more than 24 years to life in prison Friday for attempting to rape an autistic adult client.

Paid parking could be coming to Tacoma Dome Station

Pierce County is looking for public input to make a portion of their parking spaces at the Tacoma Dome Station, paid reserved spaces.

Some Tacoma neighborhoods will have discolored water starting Wednesday night

Tacoma Public Utilities announced it found a leaky pipe that it needs to work on immediately to avoid disrupting water service to thousands of its customers.